CRICH PARISH

Frederick Godfrey (1900–1964)

Private

King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

5/222287

3rd (Reserve) Battalion

New Zealand newspaper advert 1936

Notes

Frederick was born May 27th, 1900, the son of Cyril and Jane Godfrey. He enlisted in May 1918. His father was a nurseryman, florist, fruiterer and market gardener of Whatstandwell; Frederick worked for him. He was posted to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in February 1919, but during training suffered chest pains and palpitations. Rheumatism was also discovered, so he was discharged as being physically unfit in April 1919.

After the war he had a business selling hair products under the trade name Renair – restorer, pomades, tonics, dandruff lotion and shampoos. He was styled as a world-famous English hair specialist and advertised internationally. He was based at the Fountain Baths in Matlock Bath.

Photo courtesyMark Haslam

One of Frederick Godfrey'hair products

Fred emigrated from the UK with his wife and daughter during the 1930s: initially to Canada, before settling in the US at Rockport in the 1940s.

Fred Godfrey's mother, Jane Elizabeth Godfrey (née Allsop) (1875-1946), with her son, John Fairthorne Godfrey
Pictured
at the family's nursery at Hindersitch Lane, Whatstandwell.
Jane's younger brother, John Thomas Allsop, served in the army during the First World War and is listed on the Roll of Honour at Crich.

Army Pension Record

Frederick Godfrey date of birth was 27/06/00; he was single, a market gardener from Whatstandwell. His next-of-kin was his mother of "The Nurseries" Whatstandwell.
26/05/18 Deemed to have enlisted
31/05/18 Called up for service
27/06/18 Posted
23/02/19 Posted 3rd Battalion KOYLI
22/04/19
Discharged being no longer physically fit for War duties under Para 392 (xvi) K.R. When in training has complained about loss of breath and pains across the chest; has palpitations; had rheumatism; 10% disability.

Gloucester Daily Times, July 11, 1964 (Page 10)Deaths Frederick Godfrey
Rockport – Frederick Godfrey, 64 of 38 Marmion Way, operator of the Canan Sale Co. of Rockport, died yesterday morning at the Addison Gilbert Hospital.
He was born in England on May 27, 1900, son of Cyril and Jane (Allsop) Godfrey.
Surviving are his wife, Ellen (Spendlove), a daughter, Miss Heather Dorcas Godfrey, and a brother, John Godfrey and a sister, Miss Dorothy Godfrey, both of England.
The funeral will be held from St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Rockport, Monday at 10 am. At the request of the family there will be no visiting hours. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made to the Addison Gilbert Hospital.